Prisoner name: Charles Smith alias David Eastwood. Prisoner age: 32 years. Prisoner...

Prisoner name: Charles Smith alias David Eastwood.

Prisoner age: 32 years.

Prisoner occupation: Former confidential clerk to William Thomas Dulin (goldsmith and jeweller) of Cornhill [London].

Court and date of trial: Old Bailey April 1828.

Crime: Forgery, by forging the signature of William E Nembhard of Bognor [Sussex] on a cheque for £134 drawn on the bank of Sir William Curtis and Company.

Initial sentence: Death. Day of intended execution 13 May 1828.

Annotated: 'Pardon prepared 21 May 1828'.

Petitioner(s): David Eastwood (the convict). David Eastwood (the convict) undersigned by Messrs Curtis Robarts and Company (bankers), David Evans (foreman of the trial jury), William Thomas Dulin (former employer) and 34 inhabitants of the City of London and its environs. William Thomas Dulin, supported by his own affidavit containing a further affidavit and petition sewn into it. The Lord Mayor [of London].

Grounds for clemency: Pleaded guilty on the advice of Dulin who had been told the prosecutors would then support a petition; his previous good character; his late employer's need to employ his own son forced his redundancy and led to the convict's distress and misery; the prosecutor states that the convict's attempt at forgery was very awkward and stood no chance of succeeding and that he is not a dangerous character.

Other papers: Letter from Samuel Gurney to Thomas Burton asking if anything can be done for the convict. Letter from John Wontner (keeper of Newgate Prison) to Sir Robert Peel apologising for not issuing the required notice to Sheriff Spottiswoode. Letter from the convict to Mr Capper at the Home Department thanking him personally for his work in securing his pardon. Similar letter from the convict to Sir Robert Peel. Letter from W W Cope (City Marshall) confirming that he had told the convict's late employer that the Committee would sign any petition if the convict pleaded guilty. An unsigned note summarising the case. Similar note signed by Samuel Gurney.

Additional Information: Previously served in the Royal York Rangers Regiment [details given].